EARL MAUCKER ASK THE EDITOR

A: This is probably the most frequently asked question during public forums with Sun-Sentinel editors. It is particularly timely since we are fast approaching the fall election season.

Most major newspapers publish political endorsements for candidates seeking public office. That's because most newspapers feel it is important to express opinions on matters of public interest and a political election is one of the most important things we do in a democracy. Newspapers historically have commented on the choices among those who wish to hold public office.

At the Sun-Sentinel, our Editorial Board decides who gets the endorsement. The board consists of me, our publisher, the seven editors and writers who produce the opinion pages, and our editorial cartoonist.

The board members are separate from the news staff. Other than myself as editor, the Editorial Board has no day-to-day responsibilities for news coverage.

Deciding whom to endorse in a political race is a grueling process that includes individual interviews and extensive research on each candidate.

The board reaches a consensus on each candidate. Often it will come to a vote on who should get the endorsement.

In all but the highest profile races, the board prepares a list of recommendations, which are reviewed by the publisher and me.

Deciding which presidential candidate will get our endorsement is handled somewhat differently. We meet weeks in advance of the election and extensively review each candidate's stand on various issues. We debate the matter thoroughly before making a final decision.

The presidential endorsement undoubtedly has the least impact on the outcome, yet seems to create much of the interest.

Endorsing local and state candidates is something we consider a vital responsibility of the newspaper.

"Traditionally, we regard candidate interviews as the most demanding but most necessary job we do," said Tom Sander, a member of our Editorial Board who is coordinating the endorsement interviews and meetings. "We realize that few voters ever get the opportunity, as we do, to meet political candidates in person, much less question them in depth and study their credentials."

Frankly, the individual's political party or political ideology is of little interest to us, other than determining where they are on the ballot. We are much more interested in their mix of credentials, ethics and integrity. We also want to know of their past political experience, civic involvement, business experience and how they will deal with the major issues of the particular office.

A similar process is used in determining what stance to take on each referendum. The topic is researched and the board ultimately votes on whether to support the issue or reject it.

Research of a candidate's credentials to hold public office takes place almost as soon as he or she obtains qualifying papers.

We set up at least a half-hour to hour interview with a minimum of two members of the Editorial Board.

To round out the information we also mail a form, plus a questionnaire asking the candidate to list goals and comment on specific issues relevant to each race. We ask to see a resumM-i, a list of previous political accomplishments and copies of campaign brochures, speeches, position papers and other related materials.

"Whenever possible, we try to interview opposing candidates the same day," said Sander.

This year, because term limits are forcing many incumbent state legislators out of office and providing open seats for many newcomers, we have been interviewing six or seven candidates a day, four days a week since June 19.

So far, 124 candidates are running on the Florida, Broward or Palm Beach county ballots in contested elections. We expect more than 225 candidates to declare this year.

By the way, our endorsements have never been 100 percent on target. In the past two decades, about 85 percent of the candidates we endorsed have won.